IMG STAGELINE DMX-510USB Mode D'emploi page 22

Manual for DMX-510USB Controller Box and Software
1 Introduction
What actually is DMX512?
DMX is short for "Digital Multiplex" and is a digital data transmission standard for dimmers, scanners, and
their controllers. The number 512 means that this standard may control up to 512 channels. The present
version of DMX512 was defined by the United States Institute For Theatre Technology Inc. (USITT) in April
1990. This standard for controlling dimmers, scanners, and other stage equipment has been accepted at
international level.
Contrary to conventional dimming systems which need at least a two-core cable for each control channel, the
transmission of the DMX data only requires a three-core cable for up to 512 channels. The length of the cable
may extend up to 1200 m because the data will be transferred in the RS-485 format (balanced data
transmission). The data are transmitted serially with a speed of 250,000 bits per second. Each data package
has a resolution of eight bits (255 steps). All DMX receiver units are series-connected via a three-core or
five-core XLR cable (DMX IN - DMX OUT). Each unit has its own adjustable addresses which can be
selected via DIP switches in most cases so that the DMX receivers can filter their specific data from the data
package. If e.g. a four-channel dimmer pack has the start address 40, the first 39 channels and the channels
44 to 255 are ignored by the receiver unit. Only the data of channel 40 to channel 43 will be accepted.
Standard DMX controllers are DMX mixers with sliders, MIDI to DMX converters and DMX software for
personal computers with DMX converter (printer port to DMX, USB to DMX, and special slot cards).
Examples for DMX control functions:
- brightness control of dimmers
- switching on and off of lamps
- horizontal and vertical movements of scanner beams
- color control of scanners
- gobo control of scanners
- control of fog machines
- and many other functions
With the DMX converter, MONACOR INTERNATIONAL offers the user a low-budget, but very
convenient solution for DMX controls. The supplied software in English and German allows a variety of
individual settings of the control functions. They are described in detail further below.
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1.1 Software Installation
1.1.1 System Requirements
- IBM compatible PC , Pentium 1GHz, 64MB RAM, 20MB free hard disk space
- USB interface (USB1.1 or higher)
- Mouse
- CD ROM drive